prayer

Ian’s Inklings – February 28

The arrival of “Spring Break” next week offers a chance for students,
teachers and families to disengage from some of their regular routines,
relax a bit, and re-charge their batteries. Taking advantage of such
opportunities can be important – especially in challenging times such as these. It’s easy to feel anxious, exhausted and depressed by all the bad news we hear, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by everything that’s happening. So breaks like this can offer us the chance to focus on other things for awhile, and restore our strength and spirits.
To this end, a host of counsellors and theologians encourage us to embrace some healthy practices that can help to reduce stress and improve our well-being.

They include:
Spending time with people who are supportive
Getting some regular exercise
Eating well
Doing what we can to get enough sleep
Engaging in activities that we enjoy
Focusing on life’s positive aspects
Taking time to pray, meditate and be still
Writing down, at the end of each day, three things for which we’re grateful

Of course, each of us will have more need for some of these practices than others. But regardless of our situation or circumstance, disengaging from life’s trials, pressures and concerns for awhile can be helpful. Indeed, even Jesus did this. The gospels repeatedly tell us that, after periods of intense activity, Jesus regularly went off to quiet and secluded
places with his disciples to rest, re-charge and pray. This week’s gospel reading tells of one such occasion – and suggests that it’s at times such as these that God can be present in powerful and even life-changing ways to restore, strengthen and empower us all. So we’ll be focusing on the story of Jesus “transfiguration,” and on the gifts of the Spirit we are offered.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 10:30 am.

February 28, 2025

Ian’s Inklings – November 1, 2024

In preparing for our All Saints service this coming Sunday, I picked up a book written by a saint who I was privileged to know – the late former United Church moderator Lois Wilson.

It’s entitled I Want to Be in That Number: Cool Saints I Have Known, and it contains a great definition of sainthood. Quoting from a letter she once received from Anglican Bishop K.H. Ting of China, Lois writes: “The saints in each generation, joined to those who have gone before and filled them with light, become a golden chain, in which each saint is a separate link, united to the next by faith and works and love.” Or, to put it another way, saints are self-giving individuals who continue the tradition of freely shared their gifts of faith and love so the life of both the church and the world would be enriched in meaningful and significant ways.

Of course, no two saints are alike. Some, like Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Francis of Assisi, are famous. But many are not. Indeed, most of the 40 short profiles in Lois’s book are of family members, classmates and former colleagues whose names would be unknown in most Canadian households. But all of them were unique individuals with strong and distinctive personalities. And each of them touched her life, and the lives of many others, in significant ways. So she writes – not only to tell their stories – but to encourage us to remember the “saints” who we have known, and who have helped us on our way.

So, this Sunday, we’ll try to do just that. Who helped to nurture your faith and show you what loving God and loving your neighbour could look like? Who gave you the guidance and encouragement you may have needed at a particular point in your life, or inspired you to pursue a certain calling or vocation? Who are the people who taught you some vitally important lessons, and whose memories you cherish?

No two saints are alike. So let’s give thanks for all those we’ve known “who’ve been filled with the light” of faith, works, and love.

November 1, 2024

At a meeting a few days ago, one of my colleagues, Rev. Kelly Burke in Fredericton, offered a devotional that focused on the following question: “what is making your heart sing these days?” I think it’s a great question. For it encourages us to focus on the elements of life that bring joy, delight and peace to our lives.

Such a focus is important – especially today. Bad news seems to abound. We’ve seen images this week of all the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton. There continues to be too many horrific pictures of shattered bodies and bombed-out buildings in Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine, and of heart wrenching stories of loss and sorrow. And then there are the various challenges that all of us must deal with. Sometimes it’s hard not to feel depressed. So it’s important to remember that signs of light and hope can still be seen, and that our hearts can still be made to sing.

Indeed, Jesus’ disciples also needed that same reminder. They too often complained that life wasn’t unfolding the way they’d hoped. So, one day, Jesus offered a few simple pieces of advice. “Do not worry, saying “what will we eat” or “what will we drink” or “what will we wear.” And don’t worry if things don’t turn out the way you’d envisioned. Instead, remember that “if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, you of little faith?”

Here as elsewhere, Jesus affirms that the world has been created with the intent that we too can flourish. This is God’s desire – for us and everyone. Of course, that doesn’t always happen, and things don’t always turn out the way we want. But this weekend we have the opportunity to reflect on, and give thanks for, the ways our hearts have been made to sing, and for the blessings we have received.

So let’s try and take time to give thanks for the special moments and special people that bring love, joy and peace into our lives. For the opportunities we have to enjoy the fall colours and celebrate the gifts of nature. For family members and friends who offer a listening ear and a caring touch, and who have the knack for speaking just the right word at just the right time. For individuals and organizations that encourage us to share our particular gifts and make a difference. And for all those who bring beauty, joy and peace into our midst.

May you and those you love enjoy a peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Rev. Dr. Ian Manson

Votive Candles and Prayer Requests

Ian’s Inklings – September 27, 2024

Over the last several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several congregations that have been in times of transition. Every church has its own rituals and routines, so I’ve enjoyed a unique opportunity to experience some new ways of doing things. Consequently, the Search Committee has encouraged me to introduce some different elements into our worship services during this interim period, Therefore, this coming Sunday, you’ll see a couple of new things taking place.

First, you’ll notice a small table in front of the pulpit with a large white candle and some small votive ones around it. This will give you the opportunity, if you wish, to come up before the service begins and silently light a candle in memory of someone, or for a person you care about. I’ve discovered that some people find this little ritual to be very meaningful, and perhaps this will also be the case for you.

Secondly, you’ll see me greeting you before the service with a “prayer request” sheet. You’ll be invited to write down the FIRST name (to protect privacy) of someone you’d like us to pray for, and I’ll mention all these names in the Pastoral Prayers during the service. Once again, sharing a name is entirely optional. But including specific references in our prayers can remind us that all people are important to God, and that, together, we’re asking God’s blessing on these particular individuals.

Therefore, these two new elements will be part of our worship service for the next several weeks. The Worship Committee will then review them and determine whether we want to continue them.

Of course, certain practices resonate more deeply in some churches than in others. So there’s no one “correct” way to do things. But by exploring some different worship possibilities and expanding our horizons, we can continue discerning the Spirit’s presence in our midst – while deepening and enriching our life together.

September 26, 2024